Dave Banks

I am a Registered Nurse in Learning Disabilities I have worked within the Forensic Learning Disability Services since September 1996 when as a Nursing Assistant, I joined a newly opening Low Secure Service.

I completed my nurse training in 2001, returning to the same service as a staff nurse then gained several promotions becoming a Charge Nurse/Ward Manager in 2006. Over that time, I have had experience of running Acute Admission & Assessment and Treatment Wards within a growing service. I was also involved and assisted at times across our wider services that included Autism wards and Female LD Services as well as the Rehabilitation and community services. In July 2017 I became Lead Nurse on developing the innovative new Integrated Support Unit within HMP Durham helping to set up and establish a new way of working with people with all range of mental health issues in the northern prison population.

This unit has been seen on a channel 4 TV programme “Prisons” and shown the passion and drive that happens on a daily basis, and the unit is also being recognised in regional prison awards for Team of the year and jointly within Trust services for pathway work support prisoners that need to move to the hospital.

I am also a Master Coach within the Trust’s ThinkOn framework and aim to offer guidance and support to staff and teams that want to make a difference for themselves and work towards more positive solution-focused ways of working.